The HIMARS carries six rockets or one MGM-140 ATACMS missile on the U.S. Army's new Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) five-ton truck, and can launch the entire Multiple Launch Rocket System Family of Munitions (MFOM). HIMARS ammunition is interchangeable with the MLRS M270A1, however it is only able to carry one pod rather than the standard two for the M270 and A1 variants. It was designed as a small, mobile, MLRS, with the ability to 'shoot-and-scoot'.[5]

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The M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is the light, wheeled version of the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). The HIMARS utilizes the same pod as the M270 MLRS uses. A pod can hold six rockets or a single missile. The windows are made of glass and layers of sapphire.[7]

HIMARS was also tested as a common launcher for both artillery rockets and the SLAMRAAM surface-launched variant of the AMRAAM anti-aircraft missile.[8]

In October 2017, a Marine Corps HIMARS fired a rocket while at sea against a land target for the first time from the deck of the amphibious transport dockUSS Anchorage (LPD-23), demonstrating the system's ability to operate while on ships to deliver precision fire from a standoff range from shore defenses.[9] The vehicle's targeting software was reworked so it can better fire while on a constantly moving and maneuvering launch platform.[10]

As of September 2007, the Singapore Army proposed to acquire HIMARS systems. The package includes 24 HIMARS launchers, 9 FMTV 5-Ton Trucks and XM31 unitary HE GMLRS pods, plus associated support and communications equipment and services. This proposed package is notable for not involving the M-26 unguided MLRS rockets. In late 2009, Singapore took delivery of the first HIMARS firing unit and achieved Full Operational Capability. The 23rd Battalion, Singapore artillery commissioned its HIMARS battery on 5 September 2011. It marks the first fully GPS-guided HIMARS unit.

On February 14, 2010, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) for Afghanistan indicated in a press release that it was thought that two rockets fired from a HIMARS unit fell 300 metres short of their intended target and killed 12 civilians during Operation Moshtarak. ISAF suspended the use of the HIMARS until a full review of the incident was completed.[11] A British officer later said that the rockets were on target, that the target was in use by the Taliban, and use of the system has been reinstated.[12] Reports indicate that the civilian deaths were due to the Taliban's use of an occupied dwelling; the presence of civilians at that location was not known to the ISAF forces.[13] An October 21, 2010 report in the New York Times credited HIMARS with aiding the NATO offensive in Kandahar by targeting Taliban commanders' hideouts, forcing many to flee to Pakistan, at least temporarily.[14]

In November 2015, the United States Army revealed they had deployed the HIMARS to Iraq, firing at least 400 rockets at the Islamic State since the beginning of summer.[15] HIMARS detachments were sent to Al Asad Airbase and Al-Taqaddum Air Base in Anbar province. On 4 March 2016, Army HIMARS fired rockets into Syria in support of Syrian rebels fighting ISIL for the first time, with the launchers based in neighboring Jordan.[16]

In January 2016, Lockheed announced the HIMARS had reached 1 million operational hours with U.S. forces, achieving a 99 percent operational readiness rate.[17]

On April 26, 2016, it was announced that the U.S. would be deploying the HIMARS in Turkey near the border with Syria as part of the battle with ISIL.[18] In early September, international media and the U.S. State Department reported a newly deployed HIMARS had engaged ISIL targets in Syria near the Turkish border.[19][20][21]

On June 14, 2017, a HIMARS was deployed at Al-Tanf Syria to support U.S.-backed rebels in the area.[23][24]

On May 24, 2018, a HIMARS strike killed 50 Taliban fighters and leaders in Musa Qala, Afghanistan.[25] Three rockets precisely struck the building within a 14-second timespan.[26]

Starting in September 2018, US support forces have been coordinating with Syrian Democratic Forces fighting to defeat ISIS in east Syria in the Deir ez-Zor campaign. On a daily basis, they have struck ISIS positions with HIMARS rockets, sometimes using as many as 30 rockets per day.[27][28][29][30][31] The HIMARS systems used in this support operation are located in the Omar Oilfields, some 25 km north of the ISIS-controlled targets.[32]

Lockheed Martin UK and INSYS had jointly developed a demonstrator rocket artillery system similar to HIMARS for the British Army's 'Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapon System/Rocket' (LIMAWS(R)) program. The system consisted of a single MLRS pod, mounted on a Supacat SPV600 chassis.[33] The LIMAWS(R) programs was cancelled in September 2007.[34]

The Department of National Defence considered the purchase of HIMARS. The former Chief of the Land Staff, Lieutenant-General Andrew Leslie, said the plan to acquire rocket launchers was something that "would be considered much further down the road—possibly in the 2012 time frame.[37][38][39][40]

New Multiple Launch Rocket System. Program WR-300 "Homar" Poland. Multiple Launch Rocket System Cooperation between Huta Stalowa Wola, ZM Mesko and Lockheed Martin. 160 launchers are to be acquired, and to be mounted on a Jelcz 663 6x6 chassis.[42][43] In October 2018, Poland officially requested the purchase of the rocket launchers, after the US Department of Defense cleared the purchase of up to 56 launchers in November 2017.[44][45] On 29 November 2018 US State Department approved the sale to Poland. [46]

In 2017 the US State Department has authorized the sale of 54 HIMARS launch vehicles, related resupply systems and ammunition to Romania.[47] In February 2018 the Romanian government approved the purchase.[48][49][50]

The South China Morning Post, citing a report from the Center for a New American Security on an article dated 02 April 2019, said that the governments of the Philippines and the United States are discussing the potential sale or deployment of the HIMARS to the former to deter China's "militarization" of artificial islands in contested areas of the South China Sea. If deployed, the long-range, precision-guided rockets fired by the system would be able to strike Chinese man-made islands on reefs in the Spratly Islands. However, the two sides have been unable to reach a deal because the HIMARS could be too expensive for the Philippines given its limited budget.[51]